Pastor McGriffin is married to the former Jo Ann Harlow of Madison, Indiana and has two children, Robert and Shontel, four grandchildren, Ryne, Hannah (Rob), Connor and Kinley (Shontel). He began his ministry in 1978 while under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John R. Barley in Hobart, Indiana. In December of 1983, he and his family accepted an Associates in Missions appointment with the Foreign Missions Division, UPCI to serve as pastor of a church mainly comprised of US military members in Mildenhall/Lakenheath, England. While serving in that capacity they oversaw the smaller works at RAF Weathersfield and RAF Bentwaters. The 19 months served were a very rewarding time in their early ministry and culminated with a move to Nuremburg, Germany in the summer of 1985. The pastorate at Darby Kaserne in Fuerth, Germany was vacant and a request to assume that role was extended by Rev. Arlie Enis, Superintendent of the Military Ministries of Europe and the Middle East. The next three and one half years proved to be some of the most memorable years of this couples early ministry. Missionary trips to many European countries introduced them to the vast spiritual drought and need of the continent. This, along with the tremendous revival they were experiencing in Nuremburg proved to be the catalyst for many years of foreign missionary work.

The McGriffin’s returned to the US in the spring of 1988 to accept the pastorate in Clarksville, TN. In 1991 they returned to Hobart, Indiana to assist in their home church. In the late summer of 1992, they accepted and invitation to become the assistant to the pastor at Calvary UPC in Honolulu, HI, Pastor W.E. Scott. After one year in this capacity, they began attending New Life UPC, also in Honolulu, Pastor Rex Robertson. Rev. McGriffin served as one of two assistant pastors, as well as, the initial District Secretary Treasurer of the newly formed Hawaii District UPCI. In 1995, the McGriffin’s accepted appointment as UPCI Missionaries to Germany and Austria. This appointment was terminated in the spring of 1998 to accept the pastorate in Loveland, OH.

The three and one half years spent serving in this capacity were extremely rewarding and fruitful. However, once again a move was in the making. In the fall of 2001 they returned to the Hawaiian Islands to assist at New Life UPC. One year later, Pastor Robertson felt it was time for he and his wife to return to the mainland and turned the church pastoral responsibilities over to Richard and Jo Ann. They are presently happy to be continuing to serve in this capacity. Rev. McGriffin is also serving the Hawaii District as Superintendent.

Love you all!

Rick & Jo Ann